Catholic Dictionary

Term

MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION

Definition

The Church's divinely authorized right to determine the conditions under which baptized persons may validly and/or licitly receive the sacrament of matrimony. Part of this jurisdiction is the right to determine who may witness the marriage and, if necessary, what dispensations are to be granted.

Stay in Touch!

Subscribe to Insights

Stay on top of the latest Catholic news and analysis from CatholicCulture.org.